One day after Lane Johnson retired, the Eagles agreed to trade lineman Cam Jurgens to the Baltimore Ravens. This has turned into a huge news week for offensive line.
My reaction to the two departures could hardly be more different. Lane leaving is devastating. Getting this return haul for Jurgens, considering how he has played this season, feels like an excellent business deal by Howie Roseman.
Here is the deal, which the Eagles announced Wednesday, pending a physical:
| Eagles receive | Ravens receive |
|---|---|
| Baltimore’s 2028 second-round pick | Cam Jurgens |
| Baltimore’s 2027 fifth-round pick | Philadelphia’s 2027 seventh-round pick |
Getting another second-round pick is a terrific return
The Eagles drafted Jurgens 51st overall in 2022. They got a starting center on a Super Bowl championship team and two Pro Bowl seasons out of that investment. Now, early in his fifth season, they are getting another second-round pick back. I love that.
His 2026 play has been that bad
Through Week 4, Jurgens’ PFF grades were brutal:
| PFF category | Grade | Rank among qualified guards |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 38.7 | 73rd of 74 |
| Pass blocking | 31.7 | 68th of 74 |
| Run blocking | 50.3 | 65th of 74 |
PFF also charged him with 12 pressures allowed and four penalties across 242 offensive snaps.
That puts him almost at the bottom of the qualified guard rankings, and it matches how ineffective he has looked to the eye test. At times, he has honestly looked washed. We can’t pretend he was still a Pro Bowl player.
To me, the Eagles saw a chance to move on from a struggling player for a surprisingly strong return. I am glad they took it.
Baltimore’s desperation explains the price
The Ravens needed help badly. Tyler Linderbaum left for the Raiders, and Baltimore subsequently lost Danny Pinter, Jovaughn Gwyn, and Ethan Pocic to injuries. By last week, rookie guard Vega Ioane had been moved to center to keep the line functioning.
Jurgens gives them an experienced player at his natural position and allows Ioane to return to guard. I understand why Baltimore wanted him, and returning to center might give Jurgens a much better chance to recover his form. All reasons this trade was good for the Birds.
Even if Jurgens plays better in Baltimore, I can still like the Eagles’ decision based on what he was providing here.
Please give Willie Lampkin his opportunity
The most exciting immediate possibility is Willie Lampkin getting a real shot.
The Eagles list him at 5-foot-11 and 290 pounds, which is unusually small for an NFL offensive lineman. But everything that made him an intriguing prospect remains worth exploring: leverage, quick feet, strength, and an ability to get underneath bigger defenders.
There is evidence behind the excitement. PFF’s 2024 College 101 review described him as the highest-graded Power Four interior lineman, with an 84.2 overall grade and an 85.5 run-blocking grade at North Carolina. He did not allow a sack that season.
Dickerson called him “our little secret weapon” during training camp and praised his leverage, feet, and strength.
I think he could become a very good NFL lineman, and I am excited to find out whether his college and preseason success translates against NFL starters.
Thank you, Cam, and good luck in Baltimore
I love this trade, yet I still appreciate what Jurgens did here.
He replaced Jason Kelce at center, earned two Pro Bowl selections, and helped the Eagles win Super Bowl LIX. He was in the middle of countless Tush Pushes, doing the difficult work that allowed Hurts to move the chains and score.
His toughness during that championship run deserves particular recognition. In the NFC Championship Game against Washington, he was initially unable to start because of his back injury, then entered after Dickerson was hurt. He helped finish the win and went on to play through the injury in the Super Bowl.
I will remember that contribution long after I stop thinking about this season’s ugly guard reps.
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